. >> reporter: we traveled to the liberty mute cal research institute outside of boston where they study microsleep. >> microsleep is a very brief transition from wakefulness to sleep, and it can last up to maybe 20 or 30 seconds. you're awake and suddenly asleep. >> reporter: i agreed to take part in an experiment. i would drive while sleep deprived. to mimic the condition of people who do not get enough sleep, i stayed up all night. >> i've been up for close to 24 hours. >> reporter: i was hooked up to a brain wave monitor. i thought i could handle the driving. i'm feeling okay now and got behind the wheel of a minivan. i'm feeling pretty worn out. my eyes are open but i'm asleep and here too. this is what microsleeping can look like. at one point i did dose off. that was not good. finally, doc, i'm done. i knew i had dozed off a couple of times, but what was stunning, i had actually microslept 22 times and never knew it, so what was going on inside my brain? >> this is evidence that you're falling asleep. >> my eyes were open but see how these lines are becoming more jagged. that's sl